NTCI Awards

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General Proficiency Awards

Academic Awards

North Toronto Collegiate Scholarship Award (Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards)

Awarded for the highest average based on six Grade 12 credits earned at North Toronto Collegiate day school.  Note: these credits may be obtained in any year.

Funding for the gold, silver and bronze medals is made possible through the generosity of the North Toronto Collegiate School Council.


Governor General’s Academic Medal

Awarded for the highest average based on Grade 11 and 12 credits earned at North Toronto Collegiate day school.

The average includes all grade 11 and grade 12 courses as listed on the student’s official Transcript of Grades issued by the Ministry of Education. The average cannot be anticipated; it must be calculated based on final results after provincial/territorial examinations, where the ministry of education requires final exams.


MORE AWARDS


George K. Rogers Memorial Awards for Service and Citizenship

The George K. Rogers Memorial Awards honour the memory of George K. Rogers, a former student who graduated from North Toronto Collegiate in 1926.

The purpose of this award is to recognize students who provide the heartbeat of the school–students whose individual commitment, dedication and energy help make the school a special place.

The winners of these awards are chosen by the Extra-Curricular Awards Committee on the basis of nominations received from staff and students.


Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award for Students

This award recognizes an exemplary volunteer among the graduating students of each of Ontario’s schools.  It pays tribute to those students who not only complete the number of volunteer hours required to graduate, but go above and beyond.

A graduating student selected for this award by their school principal or an awards selection committee for exemplary community contribution or outstanding achievement through volunteer activity.

The award itself is a unique and specially designed commemorative pin produced in Ontario’s official colours of green and gold. At the top is the Crown which reminds us of Canada’s monarchial form of government and that the Lieutenant Governor represents the Sovereign in Ontario. The next element is three miniature Trilliums, the official flower of the province, in the form of a ‘Y’ for youth.  The lower part of the pin’s design is taken from the personal Coat of Arms of the present Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.


Principal’s Award for Student Leadership

This award is a plaque given by the Ontario Principals’ Council (OPC) to recognize a student who has exhibited extraordinary leadership within the school.  


North Toronto Commemorative Awards

This award is given to outstanding graduating students recognized by their peers for leadership and contributions to the whole life of the school.


The Canadian Federation of University Women North Toronto

The award is intended for a female student graduating from North Toronto CI who will be continuing on to post-secondary education. The deserving student is chosen as a recognition of overall excellence, at the discretion of the high school staff.


The North Toronto Collegiate Prize for Biology

The North Toronto Prize for Biology is given to a student in the graduating class.  The recipient of this award is chosen by the Science department.  The winner is recognized for:

Achievement in Biology in both courses of the Biology program

Contribution to the Biology program

Involvement in other areas of the Biology curriculum including performance in co-curricular examinations

The student’s participation and leadership in co-curricular competitions such as the York University Science Olympics.


North Toronto Collegiate Prize for Chemistry

The recipient of this award is chosen by the Science department.  The winner is recognized for:

Achievement in Chemistry in both courses of the Chemistry program

Contribution to the Chemistry program

Involvement in other areas of the Chemistry curriculum including performance in co-curricular examinations, such as the University of Waterloo’s Chemistry Contest

The student’s participation and leadership in co-curricular competitions such as the York University Science Olympics.


The Clarence Brennand Prize for Physics

Clarence Brennand was a student at North Toronto High School when it was located in a small room on the second floor of the old North Toronto Town Hall (where the health station now stands on the corner of Yonge Street and Montgomery Avenue).  Later Mr. Brennand returned to teach sciences at North Toronto for 38 years (from 1924 – 1962).

The Clarence Brennand Prize for Physics is given to a student in the graduating class.  The Science department chooses the recipient of this award.  The winner is recognized for:

Achievement in Physics during a two-year period.

Contribution to the Physics program

Involvement in other areas of the Physics curriculum including performance in co-curricular examinations, such as the University of Waterloo’s Sir Isaac Newton Contest and the Canadian Association of Physicists’ high-school examination.

The student’s participation and leadership in co-curricular competitions such as the York University Science Olympics.


The Kruszynsky Prize in Business

Constantin Kruszynsky was a Business and Economics teacher at NTCI from 2001 until 2013 who made significant contributions to Business education at North Toronto Collegiate Institute.  The award is given to a student in the graduating class who has most demonstrated academic excellence and who has made significant contributions to Business and Economic classes and extra curriculars while at North Toronto Collegiate Institute.

The Award is chosen by members of the Business Department.


North Toronto Prize for Classics

The award is given to a student in the graduating class.  The recipient of this award is chosen by the Classics department.  The winner is recognized for:

Achievement in Classics during a four-year period

Contribution to the Classics program

Involvement in other areas of the Classics curriculum


Carter Prize for Computer Science

John Carter taught Mathematics and Computer Science at North Toronto from  1985 to 2001. His career included lecturing at both the University of Toronto and York University.  Mr. Carter was a noted author as well, writing both mathematics and computer science textbooks that became the standard for the classroom.

The Carter Prize for Computer Science is given to a student in the graduating class.  The recipient of this award is chosen by the Mathematics/Computer Science department.  The winner is recognized for:

Achievement in Computer Science during a three-year period

Contribution to the Computer Science program including participation in Computer Science contests

Involvement in other areas of the Computer Science curriculum


Betty Bealey Laureateship in English

Betty Bealey has a long association with North Toronto.  As a graduate of the school in 1931, she won a number of university scholarships as well as the coveted Kerr Trophy.  

As a teacher of English and Head of the Department at North Toronto from 1941-1972, she won the admiration and love of the thousands of young people who shared in her exciting classes.  In her retirement, she continues to her commitment to North Toronto through her involvement in the North Toronto Foundation.

The Bealey Prize for English is given to a student in the graduating class.  The recipient of this award is chosen by the English department.  The winner is recognized for:

Achievement in English during a four-year period

Contribution to the English program

Involvement in other areas of the English curriculum


North Toronto Collegiate History Scholarship

The North Toronto Collegiate Scholarship for History is given to a student in the graduating class.  The recipient of this award is chosen by the History department.  The winner is recognized for:

Achievement in History during a three-year period

Contribution to the History program

Involvement in other areas of the History curriculum


Gibson Prize in Mathematics

The Gibson Prize in Mathematics recognizes the contribution of Helen and Tim Gibson to the Mathematics program at North Toronto Collegiate Institute.  Collectively, the Gibsons  taught at North Toronto Collegiate for 60 years.  

In addition to inspiring their students with the beauties and intricacies of Mathematics, Helen and Tim Gibson provided leadership and encouraged student leadership in a range of co-instructional programs.  Above all, they served as mentors and role models to several generations of North Toronto students.

The Gibson Prize for Mathematics is given to a student in the graduating class.  The recipient of this award is chosen by the Mathematics department.  The winner is recognized for:

Achievement in Mathematics during a four-year period

Contribution to the Mathematics program including  participation and achievement on mathematics contests

Involvement in other areas of the Mathematics  curriculum


North Toronto Collegiate Prize for Modern Languages

The award is given to a student in the graduating class.  The recipient of this award is chosen by the Moderns department.  The winner is recognized for:

Achievement in French and one other modern languages (other than English) during a four-year period

Contribution to the modern languages program

Involvement in other areas of the modern languages curriculum


Fine Award in Social Sciences

The Fine Scholarship for Social Sciences is given to a student in the graduating class.  The recipient of this award is chosen by the History department.  The winner is recognized for:

Achievement in Social Sciences during a three-year period

Contribution to the History/Social Sciences program

Involvement in other areas of the curriculum


Rob Crombie Memorial Scholarship for Art

Rob Crombie was a student at North Toronto Collegiate in the 1970’s who excelled in the Arts.  He passed away in July, 1976, one year prior to his graduation from the school.

The Rob Crombie Memorial Scholarship for Art is given to a student in the graduating class.  The recipient of this award is chosen by the Art department.  The winner is recognized for:

Achievement in Art during a three-year period;

Contribution to the Art program;

Involvement in other areas of the Art curriculum (e.g. art shows, displays, etc.)



Awards for Leadership and Citizenship within Specific Areas of Extra-Curricular Activity

W.J. Houston Scholarship

The W.J. Houston Scholarship honours the memory of W.J. Houston, Principal of North Toronto Collegiate from 1945 to 1959.  Mr. Houston was instrumental in establishing music as a part of the academic curriculum of the school.  He was also a keen supporter of the extra-curricular music program.

The scholarship is awarded to a student in the graduating class on the basis of outstanding academic achievement (a North Toronto graduation average of at least 80%) and outstanding contribution to the extra-curricular music program.  The winner is chosen by the teachers of music.


Jack Dow Music Scholarship

The Jack Dow Music Scholarship honours the memory of Jack Dow, teacher of music at North Toronto Collegiate from 1946 to 1958.  “Mr. Music,” as he was called, originated the annual Maytime Melodies program to showcase the musical talents of North Toronto students.

The scholarship is awarded to a student in the graduating class who will continue his or her study of music at a post-secondary institution. The winner of the award is chosen by the teachers of music on the basis of outstanding contribution to the extra-curricular music program.


Dr. Myron Tarshis Music Award

The Dr. Myron Tarshis Music Award honours the memory of Dr. Myron Tarshis, father of Susan Tarshis, an outstanding student in the North Toronto music program (1982-1987).  Dr. Tarshis was a proud supporter of the music program until his death during Susan’s graduation year.

The award is given to a student in the graduating class.  The winner of the award is chosen by the teachers of music on the basis of outstanding contribution to the extra-curricular music program. Preference is given to a student in the band program.


Mike Cherry Memorial Award

The Mike Cherry Memorial Award honours the memory of Mike Cherry, an outstanding clarinettist in the school bands and orchestras from 1950 to 1955.  Following his graduation, Mr. Cherry took up the saxophone and played professionally in jazz clubs and coffee houses around the city.

The award is given to a student in the graduating class.  The winner of the award is chosen by the teachers of music on the basis of outstanding contribution to the extra-curricular music program. Preference is given to a student in the woodwind program.


David J. Tyrrell Award for Vocal Music

The David J. Tyrrell Award honours the memory of David Tyrrell, an outstanding student in the vocal music program from 1970 to 1976.

The award is given to a student in the graduating class.  The winner of the award is chosen by the teacher of vocal music on the basis of outstanding contribution to the extra-curricular music program.


Jeremy Loomes Drama Scholarship

The J. Loomes Scholarship honours the memory of Jeremy Loomes, a North Toronto 2006 graduate who was very well known for his outstanding academic achievement in the drama classroom.  Jeremy had a passion for theatre and he was very involved in all aspects of extra-curricular drama, participating in the Sears Ontario Drama Festival, the school play, Lunch Hour Theatres, and the Improv Theatre Club.  He is fondly remembered by his many friends and teachers at N.T. who appreciated and shared in the excitement of his many talents and interests.

This scholarship is awarded to a student in the graduating class on the basis of outstanding academic achievement (a  N.T. graduation average of at least 80%) and who will continue  with his or her study of drama, dance, film, and communication/broadcasting arts at a post-secondary institution.  Preference is given to a drama student who has made an outstanding contribution to the extra-curricular drama program during a minimum of 3 years at North Toronto. The winner of the award is chosen by the drama teachers and other teachers involved in extra-curricular drama events.


Hal Brown “Triple A” Memorial Award

The “Triple A” Award honours the outstanding contribution of Hal Brown to the North Toronto school community. The three A’s in the title of the award represent Athletics, Attitude, and Achievement.  The award is presented to a student in the graduating class who excels in athletics, who achieves a graduation average of at least 75%, and whose positive attitude both to sport and to learning exemplifies the citizenship of Hal Brown.

The award is given to student athlete in the graduating class. The winner of the award is chosen by the teachers of men’s and women’s health and physical education.  There is no requirement that the award alternate between a male and female graduate from year to year.


TSSWAA Scholarship

The TSSWAA Scholarship is the gift of the Toronto Secondary Schools Women’s Athletic Association.  The award was first presented in 1999 and it will continue for five years until 2003.  The winner of the award each year will have her name engraved upon a TSSWAA commemorative plaque to be kept at the school and will receive both a cheque and a certificate which outlines the nature and achievement of the award.

The award is given to a female athlete in the graduating class who has been a positive role model both in extra-curricular athletics and within the school community.  The winner of the award is chosen by the teachers of women’s health and physical education.

North Toronto rules for extra-curricular awards require that the recipient achieve a graduating average of at least 70% although TSSWAA notes that the award should not be “determined solely on marks.”


Cameron Gray Memorial Award

The Cameron Gray Memorial Award recognizes the contribution made to North Toronto Collegiate by Cameron Gray (class of 1963).  Mr. Gray was heavily involved in the athletic program while at NTCI and was a member of the championship football team in his graduating year. Mr. Gray organized reunions of members of this team until the time of his death in 2003.  Mr. Gray was one of the organizers of the 75th reunion of North Toronto which occurred in 1987. He was the recipient of the Sifton Trophy in 1963.

The award is given to a female or male athlete in the graduating class.   It is presented to a person who has been a positive role model both in extra-curricular athletics and within the school community.  The winner of the award is chosen by the teachers of health and physical education.

North Toronto rules for extra-curricular awards require that the recipient achieve a graduating average of at least 70% although the Gray family has indicated that the award should not be “determined solely on marks.”


Carole Whelan G.A.A. Award

Carole Whelan taught history at North Toronto for over 25 years. Mrs. Whelan was very involved in many aspects of the school and especially the G.A.A.

The award is given to a female who has made an outstanding contribution to the activities of the Girls’ Athletic Association and who has been a positive role model within the school community.  The winner of the award is chosen by the staff advisor to the Girls’ Athletic Association in consultation with the teachers of women’s health and physical education.


Douglas F. Lumb Memorial Award

Douglas F. Lumb was an excellent teacher and Assistant Head of History at North Toronto from 1965 to 1976.  During the course of his career, Mr. Lumb earned the affection and respect of his students and colleagues alike.  Constantly stimulating others with his inexhaustible curiosity and diverse interests, he recognized and skillfully fostered a love of History and Current Affairs in those he taught.  Doug also gave generously of his time, supervising the Marching Band and the Boys’ Gymnastics team. Doug was also involved in the school’s drama productions – theatre and drama were his special passion for many years.

It was a great loss to both students and staff, when he died of intestinal cancer shortly after leaving North Toronto to become Head of History at Riverdale C.I.

The award is given to a student in the graduating class.  The winner of the award is chosen by the teacher of dramatic arts and other teachers involved in the extra-curricular drama program on the basis of outstanding contribution to the extra-curricular drama program. The winner need not have been a student in the dramatic arts classroom. Special consideration will be given to students with a strong background in History out of respect to Mr. Lumb’s background as a teacher.


Perkins-Leitman Book Prize for Excellence and Originality in English Literature

The book prize is given to a student in the graduating class.  The prize is donated by the family of Deborah Perkins-Leitman, an NT student of the graduating class of 2003 who studies English Literature at the University of Toronto.  The winner of the prize and the book to be awarded are chosen by the English teachers of North Toronto Collegiate Institute.

The award is given to a student whose passion for literature is demonstrated by the student’s insightful and original writing about literature. Consideration may also be given to the quality of student’s oral participation in English classes. While the award is given to recognize one student each year, its purpose is equally to recognize the outstanding talent, intelligence and commitment of the teaching staff in the English Department at North Toronto Collegiate Institute.


Waldron Prize for Writing and/or Publication

Ian Waldron was a long-time member of the North Toronto teaching staff.  During his twenty-two tears at the school, he served as Head of English, Head of Classics, and Vice-Principal, but his love of the written and spoken word were his great legacy to his students.

The award is given to a student in the graduating class.  The winner of the award is chosen by the staff advisors of the various school publications (Red and Grey, Graffiti, and Pentagon) on the basis of outstanding contribution to the publications of the school. Organizational and editorial leadership are essential criteria for this award.  Consideration is also given to students who are recognized for their published writing outside the school.

The award may be given for writing, for publication, or for both, in any given year


Awards for Leadership, Scholarship, and Citizenship in a Variety of Extra-Curricular Activities

Sakhawalkar-Bhatt Citizenship Award

The Sakhawalkar-Bhatt Award commemorates the lives of three North Toronto students, Sanjay Sakhawalkar, his sister Surekha Sakhawalkar, and their friend, Bina Bhatt, who perished in the explosion of an Air India jetliner over the Atlantic in June, 1985.

This award is presented annually to the student in the pre-graduation year who is judged by his or her peers to most represent the qualities of Citizenship, Scholarship, and Leadership to which North Toronto students aspire.

All candidates for the award have made an outstanding contribution to the curricular and extra-curricular life of the school and have demonstrated qualities of citizenship and leadership which make them role models among their peers.

Candidates for this award are selected by members of the teaching staff and representatives of the student body.  The winner of the award is determined by the students about to enter their graduation year on the basis of a preferential ballot in late May.

Specific Criteria for Nomination and Selection Candidates will have been students in good standing at the school for at least two years (including the year of entry into the graduation class).

Students will have achieved an average of at least 75% (based on eight grade eleven or six grade twelve North Toronto day school credits) during the school year prior to their entry into the graduation year.

Candidates will have displayed exemplary citizenship during their years at the school, serving as role models for their classroom peers and for younger students in the school.

Although the purpose of this award does not focus on leadership and contribution, candidates will have displayed outstanding leadership (not necessarily in an elected position) and will have made outstanding contributions in at least two major area of extra-curricular life during their years at the school.

The Kerr Trophy and The Sifton Trophy 

Hugh Leonard Kerr served as school trustee on the Toronto Board of Education from 1922 to 1933.  As trustee for the North Toronto community, Mr. Kerr took an active interest in the traditions of excellence which the school already represented in those days.  He established the Kerr Trophy in 1926.

Clifford Sifton was an active participant in the extra-curricular life of North Toronto during his years as a student (1933-1938). Mrs. Harold Sifton presented the Sifton Trophy to the school in 1939, not only to acknowledge the school’s contribution to the education of her son, but also to commemorate the contributions of the Sifton family to the public life of our country. Among many notable Siftons are Sir Clifford Sifton, leading Member of Parliament and the Federal Cabinet during the first three decades of this century, and his brother Arthur Sifton, Premier of Alberta from 1910 to 1917.

The Kerr Trophy and the Sifton Trophy are North Toronto’s highest awards.  The prestigious Sifton Trophy has been presented annually for more than sixty years, and the equally distinguished Kerr Trophy for more than seventy years.  The awards historically recognized outstanding leadership, scholarship, and citizenship and were presented to one young man (Sifton Trophy) and one young woman (Kerry Trophy) in each year’s graduation class.  

In 2018, the award descriptions were rewritten.  

Today, the Sifton Trophy is awarded to any member of the graduating class for their outstanding Citizenship.  The Kerr Trophy is awarded for outstanding Leadership.  

Over a four-year period, beginning with the grade nine year, nominations for these awards are gathered from all of the staff coaches, conductors, advisors and sponsors of curricular and extra-curricular programs within the school.  After all of the nominations have been collected and reviewed, a student-staff committee meets to determine a final slate of candidates for each award.  The nominees for each award are then presented to the members of the graduation class in the form of a preferential ballot late in May.  It is clear that the students who prevail as the ultimate winners of these two trophies represent the finest achievements of the graduation class and symbolize North Toronto’s continuing traditions of excellence.

Specific Criteria for Nomination and Selection

At the time of nomination, candidates will be enrolled in their graduation year and will have been students in good standing at the school for at least three years (including the year of graduation).

Candidates will have achieved a graduation average of at least 80% (based on six North Toronto day school credits).

Candidates will have displayed outstanding leadership (not necessarily in an elected position) and will have made outstanding contributions in at least two different areas of extra-curricular life during their years at the school.

Candidates will have displayed exemplary citizenship during their years at the school, serving as role models for their classroom peers and for younger students in the school.


The R.R.H. (Bud) Page Valedictory Prize

The R.R.H. (Bud) Page Valedictory Prize honours the memory of R. H. Page, former principal of North Toronto.  Mr. Page was a tireless supporter of both the academic traditions of the school and the wealth of extra-curricular activity for which the school has become known.

As with the Kerr and Sifton Trophies, candidates for this award are selected by members of the teaching staff and representatives of the student body.  The winner of the award is determined by the members of the graduating class on the basis of a preferential ballot in late May.

Specific Criteria for Nomination and Selection

At the time of nomination, candidates will be enrolled in their graduation year and will have been students in good standing for at least three years (including the year of graduation).

Candidates will have achieved an average of at least 80% (based on six North Toronto day school credits) during their graduation year.

Candidates will have displayed outstanding leadership (not necessarily in an elected position) and will have made outstanding contributions in at least one major area of extra-curricular life during their years at the school.

Candidates will have displayed exemplary citizenship during their years at the school, serving as role models for their classroom peers and for younger students in the school.